Nasal suction irrigator



Oct. 19 1926. 1,603,758

A. B. FISHER NASAL SUCTION IRRIGATOR Filed Feb. 12, 1925 Patented Oct.19, 1926.

warren stares arr ADELA B. FISHER, OF JAMAICA, NEW YORK.

NASAL SUCTION IRBIGATOR.

Application filed February This invention relates to nasal suctionirrigators, and is intended for the use of patients personally, and isbelieved to be very simple in its make-up and inexpensive tomanufacture. \Vhile it is intended primarily for home use by thepatient, it is advan tageously employed in conjunction with the regularoilice treatment by the specialist. It is believed to be an improvementupon the various nasal irrigators now on the market and with which thisapplicant is acquainted, in that it does not depend upon any overheadwater bag or electric pump for its operation. It is compact, and is madejust large enough to take the rubber bulb ot the size of an ordinaryatomizer, and is especially effective in creating a partial vacuum ornegative pressure in the nasal passages. All parts are preferably madeoil? such metal or other material which will not corrode or break inordinary use, and which may be readily sterilized by boiling, withoutinjury to the parts. The valves are intentionally large and soconstructed as to prevent clogging by the matter discharged inoperation. It is intermittent in its action, and

does not over congest the parts, a condition which so frequently ariseswith the average patient personally operating a device for the purposeand using water with a hand pump or electric pump to produce thesuction.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated the preferred form of thisinvention, and Fig. 1 represents a side view of all parts assembled andin operative position. Fig. 2 is a plan view looking into the mouth ofthe head of the curved tube.

Throughout the description and drawings the same number is employed torefer to the same part, and the terms used to designate those parts areselected. only for the purposes of this description.

Considering the drawings, Fig. 1, a conical head 1 is formed forintroduction into the nostril of the patient in order that the nostrilmay be expanded and grasp the head somewhat closely to exclude externalair during the working period. The head terminates a curved, tubular,rigid handpiece usually made of metal. The curved form is anadvantageous feature of this invention, inasmuch as when taken into thehand the head may be fully inserted into the nostril Without bringingthe fingers necessarily into contact with the face. The handpiece ismarked 2, and it will be understood that its 12, 1925. Serial No. 8,770.

length, curvature or precise size may be varled within the scope of thisinvention.

To the lower end of the handpiece is con neeted the tube 3, customarilyof rubber. It 6t includes the valve and extends to and is connected withthe operating bulb 5. Ttis intended to make the valves rather largewithout being cumbersome, as it is desired that the partly fluidizednasal secretions charge valve 7, and leads to any receptacle 8.

In the drawings is shown the inner tube 9 arranged within the curvedhandpiece against one interior wall thereof as shown in Fig. 2, and theinner tube at a distance below the head passes outwardly through thewall of the handpiece. The portion of the inner tube lying on theoutside of the handpiece is usually rigid metal and relatively strong sothat it may not be easily broken off or distorted. This external portionof the inner tube is marked 10. From it extends the suction tube 11, andto keep the mouth of the suction tube always properly open, there isprovided a mouthpiece 12,

which as illustrated is placed below the fluid line in the receptacle13.

In the operation of this invention, let it be assumed that the bulb 5 iscon'ipressed.

All matter in discharge tube 6 will be forced into the receptacle 8through the valve 7 which opens from the bulb. As the bulb expands,valve 7 closes, and valve 4, closed by the compression now opens, and apartial vacuum is created in the handpiece and conscquently in the nasalcavities. The open nostril is kept closed by pressure of the finger, andthe patient is instructed to repeat the letter K more or lesspositively.

A su'llicient negative pressure is produced in the nasal chambers andsinuses to cause an adequate evacuation, which in turn is quickly washedaway and carried into the receptacle 8. As the bulb expands and thepartial vacuum increases the irrigating fluid no is drawn up through thesuction tube and inner tube into the nose of the patient, and

The valve 4: opens towards 70 the mucous accumulations are softened andrendered capable of being drawn into the bulb for discharge by way ofthe tube 6 as stated. The compression and expansion of the bulb isrepeated as long as desired. The amount of negative pressure in the nosecan be controlled by the frequency and force exerted on the hubber bulb,and since the force of irrigation is never greater than the amount ofthe negative pressure, there can be no danger of forcing the infectedsolution into the middle ear.

aving now described this invention, and explained the manner of its use,what I claim is 1. In a nasal suction irrigator, the combination with ahollow head adapted to be insorted into the nostril, ot a hollow handpiece connected with the said head, the said hand piece having a tubearranged therein longitudinally and extending into the said head, thesaid tube being constructed with thin 'alls and of small diameterwhereby the cross-section of the interior of the hand piece is reducedby a portion only of its area, the said tube having an opening outwardlythrough the wall of the handpiece between the said head and the lowerend of the hand piece, a suction tube connected externally with the saidtube in the hand piece, and a suction bulb connected with the lower endof the said hand piece.

2. In a nasal suction irrigator, the combination with a hollow headadapted to be inserted into the nostrol, of a hollow curving hand piececonnected with the said head, the said hand piece having a tube arrangedtherein longitudinally and extending into the head, the said tube beingconstructed with thin walls and of small diameter whereby thecross-section of the interior of the hand piece is reduced by a portiononly of its area, the lower end of the said inner tube opening outwardlythrough the wall of the hand piece between the said head and the lowerend. of the hand piece, a suction tube connected externally with thesaid inner tube, and a suction bulb connected with the lower end of thehand piece.

In testimony whereof I a'tiiX my signature.

ADELA B. FISHER.

